HaGaon HaRav Mordechai Galai zt”l, one of Eretz Yisroel’s most respected experts in shechita and kashrus, was niftar early Sunday morning at Mayanei Hayeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak following a serious illness. He was 75.

HaRav Galai served for decades as a senior supervisor and head of shechita operations for Badatz Shearis Yisroel and was widely known as a trusted shochet for Gedolei Yisroel.

Born in Haifa on 11 Kislev 5711, he was the son of HaGaon HaTzaddik HaRav Shalom Galai zt”l, a talmid of the Chofetz Chaim, and Esther Ita a”h.

As a bochur, he learned at Yeshivas Beis Meir in Bnei Brak under HaGaon HaRav Zalman Rotberg zt”l. He later settled in Bnei Brak’s Ramat Elchanan neighborhood, where he maintained a close relationship with HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Zilberstein.

HaRav Galai was particularly respected for his expertise in shechita and checking knives. Maran HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l placed great trust in his work, and numerous Gedolei Yisroel insisted on eating meat only from his shechita.

Despite battling a serious illness over the past year, HaRav Galai continued his work, including examining and training shochtim. Just last week, he reportedly left his sickbed and traveled to Haifa to personally oversee examinations.

Israel’s Chief Rabbi, HaGaon HaRav Kalman Meir Ber, expressed deep sorrow over his petirah, describing him as a leading figure in the world of shechita who remained dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of kashrus despite his suffering.

HaRav Galai suffered a painful loss approximately a year ago with the petirah of his son, the bochur Yechiel Yehoshua Galai z”l. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and his brother, HaGaon HaTzaddik HaRav Shimon Galai shlita.

The levaya was held Sunday, departing from his home on Avnei Nezer Street in Bnei Brak’s Ramat Elchanan neighborhood, with kevurah in Elad.

Yehi zichro baruch.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)